Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, has a knack for creating dishes that resonate with home cooks everywhere. When she declared, with a blissful smile after her first spoonful, “Yup, everything is going to be okay,” about her Retro Noodle Soup, it was a clear signal to try this recipe. Inspired by childhood comfort food classics, this unique take on Pioneer Chicken Noodle Soup offers a nostalgic yet surprisingly innovative approach to a beloved staple.
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Image: Ree Drummond, The Pioneer Woman, joyfully tasting her Retro Noodle Soup, a dish inspired by classic comfort foods and reminiscent of childhood chicken noodle soup, as featured on her show.
Childhood Comfort and Chicken Noodle Soup Memories
For many, including myself, chicken noodle soup is the quintessential comfort food. Memories of childhood often include a warm bowl of this soup, whether it was a remedy for chilly days spent building snow forts or a soothing meal when feeling under the weather. Mom’s homemade version, especially with chewy egg noodles, was always a treat, echoing the comforting flavors of classic pioneer chicken noodle soup recipes passed down through generations. Even the convenience of canned chicken noodle soup held a certain nostalgic charm, providing a quick and easy comfort in a bowl, especially when paired with saltine crackers.
The Pioneer Woman’s Retro Noodle Soup: A Twist on Tradition
Ree Drummond’s Retro Noodle Soup taps into this very nostalgia, but with a clever twist. As the Food Network team explains, Ree’s childhood preference for canned chicken noodle soup came with a quirk: she would often leave the chicken behind. Her Retro Noodle Soup recipe embraces this preference, intentionally omitting the chicken while retaining the beloved flavor profile. Instead, it focuses on a rich, savory broth enhanced by a chicken bouillon cube and features linguine noodles for a satisfyingly slurpable experience. This innovative approach offers a fresh perspective on what we consider pioneer chicken noodle soup, proving that comfort can be found in unexpected variations.
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Image: The ingredients for Ree Drummond’s Retro Noodle Soup are laid out, highlighting the fresh vegetables, pasta, and bouillon cube that contribute to its comforting and chicken-less chicken noodle soup flavor.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ small white onion, diced
- 2 small stalks celery, thinly sliced
- One 8 ¼-ounce can sliced carrots
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
- 1 chicken bouillon cube
- 6 ounces linguine
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or more as needed
- Kosher salt
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 2 tablespoons salted butter, cold
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
Directions
- Heat olive oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, celery, carrots, and garlic. Stir and cook until softened, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Add the chicken stock and bring to a boil. Stir in the bouillon cube, breaking it up as you add it.
- Add the linguine and cook, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are al dente, approximately 7 to 8 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Stir in black pepper, salt to taste, lemon juice, and cold butter. Mix until butter is melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
Tasting The Pioneer Woman’s Chicken-less Chicken Noodle Soup
Ree Drummond herself jokes that this soup blurs the line between soup and pasta due to the generous amount of noodles. After trying it, I agree – it’s a delightful and hearty dish that perfectly balances the comforting essence of pioneer chicken noodle soup with a unique, chicken-free approach. The savory broth, reminiscent of classic canned soup, combined with the tender vegetables and satisfying linguine, makes for a truly comforting and easy-to-make meal. It’s a wonderful option for anyone seeking the nostalgic flavors of chicken noodle soup, perhaps those who prefer a vegetarian option or simply want to try a creative twist on a timeless classic.
For a taste of childhood comfort with a Pioneer Woman spin, Ree Drummond’s Retro Noodle Soup is highly recommended. If you enjoy savory noodle soups, you might also explore traditional pioneer chicken noodle soup recipes for comparison and further culinary adventures.
